Libraries Become Community Health Centers
Milwaukee — The Aurora Health Care Mobile Medical Clinic team set up at the Milwaukee Public Library, ready to assist patrons with their health queries. On this day, a patron approached them with concerns about his joint pain and the importance of calcium for strong bones.
Nurse practitioner Carolyn McCarthy explained the significance of his blood pressure medication in a relatable manner, ensuring he understood the need to continue his treatment. McCarthy expressed, ‘Hopefully, he walked away a little bit more informed.’
This initiative is part of a broader movement where libraries across the United States are offering various health programs, including fitness classes, food pantries, cooking classes, and mental health support. These programs are instrumental in providing access to health resources without the barrier of cost, insurance, or identification.
Jaime Placht, a health and well-being specialist at the Kansas City Public Library, emphasized this role, saying, ‘The library is a public health space.’
Impact on Communities
Libraries affiliated with the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart program have reported significant engagement. The Kansas City branches have logged over 13,000 uses of their blood pressure stations since the program’s inception.
Placht noted, ‘We have patrons that say, “Because I used the blood pressure monitor at the library, I went and saw my physician for the first time in a long time.”’
In Jarrell, Texas, where local public health services might be limited, the Jarrell Community Library connects patrons to mental health resources. Library director Susan Gregurek shared, ‘This is mental health, but it’s obviously larger than mental health.’
Expanding Health Awareness
At the Smithville Public Library, funded through the Libraries for Health program, initiatives like peer support for mental health and distribution of surplus food from local farmers have seen growth. Director Judy Bergeron remarked on the imperfections of funding questions, ‘Why are we funding the library so much? Nobody reads anymore.’
In Milwaukee, the mobile health clinic averages eight patrons per visit, addressing critical health needs. McCarthy reflected, ‘What we do is a Band-Aid on a broken (health care) system.’
Nurturing the Next Generation
Additionally, libraries are focusing on nutrition education through programs for children. Chef Sharrie Agee runs a weekly class at the Mitchell Street branch, teaching children about healthy cooking habits. ‘Certain areas of Milwaukee don’t have the same opportunities to access healthy ingredients,’ Agee noted.
Participants, like 7-year-old Yareni Orduna-Herrera, are excited about trying nutritious recipes they learn. She expressed her eagerness, saying, ‘I’ll try the recipe home again.’
As libraries continue to evolve into health and wellness hubs, their ability to engage communities in discussions about health and provide essential services underscores their vital role in public health.
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